Taquan, meaning
"village by the sea" in the Alaska Native Tsimshian language,
has
been synonymous
in aviation for over 30 years.

Our History

August 1947

The first DeHavilland Beaver is flown and recognized as one of Canada's
ten greatest engineering achievements in the past 100 years.

1967

The final DeHavilland Beaver aircraft comes off
production in Canada.

August 1977

Taquan Air Service Incorporated begins operations
as a single aircraft carrier, owned and operated by Jerry Scudero,
out of Metlakatla, Alaska.

1986

Taquan Air Service, Inc. purchases property in Ketchikan
on Water Street.

1997

Kootznoowoo Corporation purchases 50% of Taquan Air Service, Inc. stock, enabling the carrier to purchase assets from Ketchikan
Air Service.

1999

Taquan Air Service, Inc. sells off assets and streamlines
operations.

April 2000

Venture Travel, LLC dba Taquan Air acquires Taquan
Air Service, Inc. assets and begins operations under the direction
of President and CEO, Brien Salazar.

April 2000

Venture Travel, LLC dba Taquan Air is awarded U.S.
Forest Service Air Service Contract and acquires U.S. Postal Service
contracts to serve Hyder, Hydaburg, and Behm Canal mail routes.

2001

"New" Taquan Air begins operating full service
U.S. Mail and scheduled passenger flights in the Ketchikan area, including
Prince of Wales Island.

2001

Taquan Air begins Kenmore Air six window seat modifications
on DeHavilland Beaver fleet. All maintenance requirements are completed
in-house by way of local labor.

2002

Taquan Air acquires and operates contracts with
all major cruise lines for flightseeing tours, predominately during
the summer season.

2003

Taquan Air fleet increases from 6 to 7 aircraft

2004

Taquan Air completes Kenmore six window seat modification
on all 7 aircraft.

February 2004

Taquan Air registers to participate in the voluntary
Alaska Medallion Foundation Safety in Aviation Program.

February 2004

Taquan Air is the first to adopt the FAA's Capstone
Program and becomes the first floatplane carrier in Southeast Alaska
to install state-of-the-art glass cockpit avionics navigation equipment
in its entire fleet.

May 2004

Taquan Air completes first step in the Medallion
Program by earning the Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) Avoidance
Star.

November 2004

Taquan Air completes second step in the Medallion
Program by earning the Operational Risk Management (ORM) Star.

April 2005

Taquan Air completes the third step in the Medallion
Program by earning the Maintenance and Ground Service Star.

May 2005

Taquan Air completes installation of digital stereo
sound systems in each aircraft and replaces all existing headsets with
digital noise canceling headsets.

April 2006

Taquan Air completes its fourth step in the Medallion
Program by earning the Safety Program Star.

June 2006

Taquan Air is recognized for being one of two Part-135
floatplane operators in the state of Alaska to achieve Four Star Rating
in the Medallion Program.

April 2007

Taquan Air relocates from waterfront base at 1007 Water Street to the new 3.5 acre business park, Harbor Point.

October 2007

Taquan Air relocates for the last time at 4085 Tongass Ave into a brand new, state-of-the-art terminal and hangar building

April 2008

Taquan Air commences the 2008 season with a two day Grand Opening celebration at the new facilities. Events included a totem pole raising ceremony, native tribal dancing, and public barbeque. Hundreds of guests turned out to celebrate and congratulate.

May 2008

The fifth and final step in the Medallion Foundation program is completed with Taquan earning its Internal Audit Star. An audit is conducted to determine the company’s eligibility for the Medallion Shield.

August 2008

Company President Brien Salazar attended an awards presentation to receive the Medallion Shield plaque for Taquan Air.